Introduction

Romans 10:14-15 (HCSB) – But how can they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe without hearing about Him? And how can they hear without a preacher? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How welcome are the feet of those who announce the gospel of good things!

Many years ago while in college I found an empty room in one of the buildings one day to study as I frequently did.? Later another guy came into the room to study as well.? As soon as he sat down on the other side of the room an intense urge from within arose to tell him that God will help him even with his school work.? I sat there for several minutes until I finally generated enough courage to say something.? I told him that God will help him even with his school work and his response was unexpected.? He thanked me as if I said something that he at least appreciated.? I never saw that guy again and I often wonder what the impact of God?s message to him was.? How did what God wanted to tell that guy through me impact his life?? I may never know, but I do know that I allowed myself to be used by God to minister to someone else.

We see time and time again in the Bible that God works through people.? One event that frequently enters my mind is the story of Mordecai and Esther in the book of Esther.? In Esther we see how God protected the Jews from their enemies by working through King Xerxes [Ahasuerus], Esther and Mordecai.? One may wonder why God didn?t simply eradicate those who plotted to destroy the Jews.? Why didn?t God simply cause them all to drop dead miraculously?? The fact is, as in most cases of God?s intervention in the Bible, we see that He works through people to carry out His will.

This highlights the fact that in most cases people around you have the potential to be blessed by God if you allow yourself to be the agent of that blessing.? The love of God, the provisions of God, etc., are realized in the life of people when God?s people become agents of God or vessels to carry out God?s will.? This means that you are very important to God.? Are you His vessel though?

The Directive From Christ

Matthew 28:18-20 [NLT] – Jesus came and told his disciples, ?I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.?

There is one thing that each and every Christian can and should do, namely spread the good news about Jesus Christ so that others would become disciples and then do the same thing.

Jesus told us to go–not to get people to come.? Unfortunately far too many people have become organization-centric instead of Christ-centric.? We are quick to follow the precepts, dogmas, and other religious rites of our denomination over and above what we are supposed to do as Christians.? When we do that then those around us suffer because they do not benefit from the good news about Christ.

You Are The Light

Matthew 5:14-16 [NLT] – ?You are the light of the world?like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

People look at you to know who God is, who Jesus is, what God wants, etc.? People are looking at you to see in effect what God is like.? Sometimes people need an answer and have nowhere to look for those answers and they will try almost anything to get them.? This may lead people to cults, other religions, crime, or no religion at all.

This is why it is imperative to know what you believe and why.

1 Peter 3:15-16 [NLT] – Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. 16But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.

You are Christ?s Representatives

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 [NLT] – This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 18And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. 19For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people?s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 20So we are Christ?s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, ?Come back to God!? 21For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

We represent Jesus, the light, in the world.? Ultimately we are part of God?s work to bring people into a relationship with him.? Ultimately God wants us!? The goal is a relationship with Christ and we should be careful that we are striving to fulfill that goal of God.

Not Just Ordained Ministers

It is typical for people to think that it is the job of the ordained minister to preach the word of God or to share the Christian faith. However, we must consider that ordained ministers are representatives of a particular organization and are therefore limited by that organization. For example, if a particular Church organization ordains a minister then that minister is bound by the conditions of that ordination. This could hinder their ability to freely preach the word of God because not all organizations adhere strictly to the word of God.

Our first allegiance should be to the Lord not a religious organization. It is not the sole responsibility of ordained ministers to share the Christian faith. We can do it in our everyday lives merely by telling others about God’s love and what Jesus Christ did in any opportunity that may come our way. The disciples of Jesus were not ordained by a religious organization. The Apostle Paul was not ordained by a religious organization or even the disciples themselves. Therefore, we should not think that we need a special ordination from a religous organization to share our Christian faith. We simply need to know the word of God and share what we know.

You Are Therefore Very Important

God wants a relationship with people and He sent Jesus Christ to die in order to obtain that.? God uses people in most cases to carry out his will on the earth, which makes you a valuable member of Christ?s body.? Let us be CHRIST-IANS (belonging to, relating to, or resembling Christ).? What did Christ do?

1. Preached the Kingdom
2. Healed the sick
3. Cast out demons
4. Ministered to the oppressed (See Acts 10:38)

Jesus ministered God?s love to the people?all people.? So let us strive to do what Christ did for those around us who desperately need answers to their normal life situations.? Let?s share Christ with others in whatever way you are wired to do.

You are a critical component in God?s desire for all to be saved (1 Timothy 2:3-4).? Therefore, know that God loves you and needs you!? Amen.